Volunteers in New Zealand are rushing to save survivors after more than 400 pilot whales beached themselves.

Hundreds of locals and members of the conversation department staff have been racing against the clock to save the whales at Farewell Spit on the South Island. Around 300 whales have already died.

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Scientists are still unsure what causes whales to beach themselves, but according to BBC News, sometimes it happens because the whales are old and sick, injured, or make errors in navigation particularly along gently sloping beaches.

When a whale is beached, it often sends a distress signal, attracting other members of its pod. The whales then get stranded because of the receding tide.

Volunteers have been working rapidly since Friday morning, local time. This is reportedly one of the worst cases recorded in the country.

According to Project Jonah New Zealand a marine life protection agency in New Zeland, a total of 416 whales were beached and 75% were dead upon rescuers arrival.

Volunteers are using social media to call for volunteers, as well as raising awareness for the severity of marine life beaching.